WIMBLEDON 2009: Swine flu fears heighten as 28 staff are sent home from the All England Club

A total of 28 Wimbledon staff have now been asked to stay at home after suffering flu-like symptoms, tournament organisers said today.

Fears over a possible swine flu outbreak were raised two days ago after four ball boys and girls were asked to stay away.

Several more people have now been asked to stay away from the championships, including one member of staff working in the Wimbledon shop, one person from the broadcast centre, members of the catering staff and more ball boys and girls. It was also reported today that three players are believed to have contracted the virus.

Anxious: There are increasing worries over swine flu at SW19

A Wimbledon spokeswoman said: 'Twenty-eight Wimbledon personal have been asked to stay at home with flu-like symptoms. But of the initial ball kids who were affected, three are now back at Wimbledon and fine to work.

'Once they have been without symptoms for 24 hours they are allowed back to work - and the ball kids are obviously desperate to get back on court.'

Senior Wimbledon doctor Fenella Wrigley said the incidence of those affected reflected the broader situation in London. She said the spread of the virus was being monitored but numbers had not increased more than expected.

Reaction: Ian Ritchie

Three players were believed to have caught the virus. They are Slovakians Michal Mertinak and Filip Polasek who shared a hotel room for the tournament, and American Travis Parrott, Polasek's doubles partner.

All three are no longer in the tournament. The Wimbledon spokeswoman said she could not comment on players. There are about 6,000 Wimbledon staff working in SW19 at any one time.

A statement from All England Club chief executive Ian Ritchie released on Monday read: 'A small number of our championships' personnel have reported a flu-like illness and consequently been asked to stay at home.

'Having consulted closely with the Health Protection Agency, we have been reassured that since the incidence is entirely in line with the wider London community, there is no particular extra risk to all those connected with the event, be they players, media, staff or spectators, and we are able to continue with the championships as normal.'

Parrott later denied he was among the players who tested positive for swine flu, but said that his doubles partner, Polasek, was suffering with the condition. Writing on Twitter, Parrott stated: "For the record...I was not diagnosed with swine flu. It is true that my doubs [doubles] partner was diagnosed with swine flu.'